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Great stuff

5 Posted on 01 / 24 / 2013

In advance of the opening hours, I was let in to the tiny cafe Ginger by this very friendly man, that I have presumed is the owner. Hungry as I was, I ordered soup of the day and a plate with pie and some 'extras'. The soup arriving first wasn't amazing in taste but far away of being bad. I never asked what it was but it might have been green lens soup. Anyway, it had a healthy feeling to it. Afterwards I was guided through a small variety of pies and chose a corn-based one. This was delivered to my table on a plate together with the extras. These extras turned out to be at least six small salads and hommus-like creamy things. The plate turned out to be the best veggie food I have ever eaten in a cafe or restaurant. A perfect balanced meal both in the taste and health aspect. It felt obvious to me that this very pleasant mix of fruity and salt tastes, was ambitiously thought through and put together.

A lot of people would argue that a small menu is a negative thing. For me it ain't necessarily so. Rather the opposite if the case is a menu that changes, which is the case here.

When I left Ginger it was full of people and later times it's been full to the last spot when I've arrived. Not surprising.

Pros: Cheap, Great food, Friendly staff
Cons: Hard to get place sometimes

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Underwhelmed

4 Posted on 12 / 12 / 2012

My lady and I stopped by one Sunday afternoon for brunch and found ourselves at a completely empty Ginger Cafe around 13:00. We were greeted by a friendly and charming man who I assume is the owner.. he guided us in English through the options that day and we both settled on the pumpkin soup.. then it take it from there. Although the restaurant is quiet inviting and the staff was terrific we both felt that the soup was quite bland and underwhelming. I was rather disappointed. There just wasn't anything to it. I realize this a common problem with a lot of pumpkin-centered dishes.. the taste just doesn't pop out. Well we weren't persuaded to try anything else and by the time we left the place was still empty which is always a bit strange.. being the only people in a restaurant. Regardless of the disappointing soup I'll be back the next time I'm in Paris and try something else. We may have just gotten a dud item. Fortunately they seem to be doing some other things well so I won't give up hope. Can't do 3.5 cows so I'll go with 4.

Pros: ambiance, staff
Cons: soup was bland

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Like homemade!

4 Posted on 09 / 15 / 2012

I'm so glad I decided to visit this place. The staff were probably the best I've ever come across in a restaurant. They were so warm and genuine and it felt like they really had their heart in the job. The husband especially had plenty of interesting conversation to make, and both the husband and the wife made me feel very much like this was a place I wanted to be giving business to.

So, then, how was the food? I think it'd be best described as "lovely." It was healthy and homestyle, but usually when I hear those adjectives, I just think of bland stuff that I'll eat if nothing else is available but which I wouldn't ever choose as my first meal preference. Here, the food feels healthy but is also flavourful. It's the perfect illustration of how food doesn't always need to be complex to be satisfying, and I say that not because the food was overly simple, but because it wasn't presented in a fancy way or anything. The flavour spoke for itself, and even though I was eating a small pie with a plate full of salad, I didn't feel left wanting (though I did have the dessert, which was a comforting fig and apple tart whose crust had a delicious, melt in your mouth texture and whose apples had the perfect combination of softness and residual crispness).

My only word of warning is that I think I got there like halfway through their hours and they were running pretty low on their pies. This and the relatively small number of meal choices are understandable, though--they do everything themselves in that kitchen. I'd simply suggest to get there earlier rather than later, but if you do miss out, they do great things with salad, so don't be disheartened!

Cafe Ginger was great, and it really reminded me of a restaurant I love back home. I think I'll be going back before I leave Paris if I have the time. The owners are simply fantastic (and had knowledge of veganism and what there is for vegans in Paris, as well as English skills) and I found the food both tasty and health-conscious, characteristics which aren't often well-balanced. I also found it remarkably economical for a place that is referred to as "moderate" in price on Happy Cow--I got the pie with a big plate of mixed salads and the dessert for 14 euros. In Paris, I find that a pretty good deal!

Pros: Surprisingly easy to find, Amazing staff, Healthy and yummy food with a good price
Cons: Popularity may mean shortages of items, Not a huge amount of choice

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they ran out of food twice

2 Posted on 07 / 09 / 2012

I wish I could review this restaurant, but we came here two times during the advertised opening hours and they had no food left. The first time it was before 3PM, and they said that they were also closing earlier than usual because they had to go someplace. The second time it was around 2:30 PM, and once again, they were out of food "we had a busy day". The proprietor was nice enough, apologizing and suggesting another place in the area (we were there before and not particularly impressed), but I think that any business that wants to thrive must prepare extra food, and if there is leftover, they can offer it to some of the many homeless in the city.

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Nice healthy restaurant

4 Posted on 06 / 24 / 2012

I really liked the plate of the day I ate there. It had a lot of variety and everything was tasty, and healthy.

There are not too many options, but if you're looking for a healthy meal (no junk food there) that won't blow you away, but still fully satisfy you, this is a great choice.

I find many macrobiotic or health-oriented restaurants in Paris offer this kind of menu, but many of them serve bland food. This is not the case here.

Pros: organic, inexpensive, healthy
Cons: lack of options

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Simple and delicious! A must.

5 Posted on 05 / 27 / 2012

After fabric shopping all day, I arrived tired and starving to Cafe Ginger!

What a gem this little cafe is!

The owners are warm and welcoming. I felt immediately at home. The food was simple, fresh, delicious, and presented beautifully. I had a vegan shepherds pie accompanied by plenty of sides like carrot and beet salad, beautiful bean sprouts, an eggplant puree dip with bread.

They also have vegan desserts and fresh juices and tea. I will certainly visit again during my next trip to Paris! Thanks so much guys!

Pros: Friendly, Fresh, Delicious
Cons: Not 100% vegan

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Not my thing...

3 Posted on 04 / 27 / 2012

First, if you're liking for it off the metro, go to the Henry IV exit to the street. It's 40 yards away. The place was small and had no menu, just a few things to choose from for lunch. While very healthy, I prefer more protein (tofu, seitan). Was a bit expensive for what we got, but still I line with Paris prices. Two workers (assuming owners?) were great, especially the guy. Fantastic service and friendliness were certainly there. Wouldn't go back but worth a visit once to mix it up! It was busy at 3:00 in the afternoon...

Pros: Vegan selections
Cons: Lack of options

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Fill up on a healthy, hearty vego lunch

5 Posted on 04 / 19 / 2012

We ate here twice and loved it. Owned by a couple who make all the food themselves, they specialise in tarts and do an awesome Shepherd's pie. Plates are filled up with a heap of little extras, like avocado, mashed yams, couscous, grated vegetables, etc. It's really healthy and filling. We got addicted to a chocolate pate they do for dessert, delicious. They gave our 8 month old daughter some mushed up food which she loved - for no charge. Really nice people and an intimate setting. One block from the Bastille, so it's in a fantastic area and easy to get to.

Pros: Tasty, healthy food, Super-friendly owners, Relaxed, intimate setting
Cons: Only a handful of tables, Not 100% vegan

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Great and special home made food

5 Posted on 03 / 23 / 2012

We just loved this place. A nice variety of vegan home made food is served for a very good price (which is kind of hard to find elsewhere in Paris). The place is not as crowded as the "hip" vegan places, but the food is as good if not better. The staff is super friendly (and English speaking ;)). We will definitely come back next time we are in town.

Pros: Great home made food, Very good prices, Super friendly staff
Cons: -, -, -

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Great cafe!

5 Posted on 03 / 09 / 2012

This is a wonderful little spot for lunch! We made a trip to this place because of the good reviews here and we were not disappointed. It's a tiny little place, probably only 12-15 places, but that means a lot of personal attention. We ordered the plate of the day (shepherd's pie) and were pleasantly surprise with the variety platter that was served. Several little salads and sides that were all delicious. The owner/staff were all very attentive and friendly. I would make this special trip again.

Pros: Owner/Staff, large portions, variety of options

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A great little veggie cafe in the heart of Paris

5 Posted on 01 / 14 / 2012

Cafe Ginger opened a few months ago. It's well hidden behind Bastille and opens every day for lunch and afternoon snacks except Mondays. We were served a hearty soup of the day and a selection of vegetable tarts, followed by a slice of vegan cheese cake. Although Ginger Cafe is technically vegetarian, most of the dishes on the menu are vegan. The owners are well aware of diet requirements and are very involved in making their business a success. She bakes and cooks while he looks after the customers. Brunch on the weekend is always busy, so think about going early or making a booking as seating is limited. Definitely a place we will recommend to people who are looking for a cosy location with delicious well-priced home-style food prepared with love and care.

Pros: Taste, Friendliness, Location
Cons: Small - need to reserve

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Delicious!

5 Posted on 01 / 04 / 2012

The food is delicious and they have many (mostly) vegan options. The owners are very friendly as well. You order at the counter and then sit down and wait for the food to be brought to you. It's very busy at lunch time, and very small but cozy. Loved it! Payed EUR 17 for soup + juice + salad and tarte salé... Lots of food and all organic.

Pros: Delicious, Affordable, Friendly

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Vegan friendly cafe in central Paris

5 Posted on 11 / 29 / 2011

Excellent little cafe just next to Bastille, a very welcome addition to the Paris vegetarian scene. Great selection of different teas and infusions along with creative fresh juices.

The food looked great, especially the deserts many of which were vegan, I will definitely be eating here when next in Paris. There was also a soup of the day and an interesting selection of creative savoury tarts made fresh daily which were served with a mix of salads. Many of the tarts were vegan, and there was also a gluten free (vegan) option available.

Unusually for Paris the tea was very well made - no doubt due to one of the owners being English!

Definitely one of the best veggie options in Paris.

Pros: Good value, Gluten Free and Vegan options, friendly staff

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Great Vegan comfort food, with lovely service

4 Posted on 11 / 16 / 2011

I stumbled across Cafe Ginger recently, and was pleasantly surprised by its wonderful organic vegan/vege lunches.

I had a courgette, onion and mashed potato tart, with a side salad of vegan risotto, lentils and a green salad. (9€)

This was the perfect comfort food meal, the deliciously filling tart would have fooled any non-vegan!

Having only been open a few months, the owners are still trying to find their feet, but this also adds to the charm, you can tell they're passionate about their new veg-cafe venture, and it shows in the food!
Much lighter than Le Potager du Marais and perhaps more modern, but equally filling and tasty.

I'm very keen to go back and try their juices and desserts!

Pros: Light, tasty cafe style food, Good value, Friendly owners
Cons: Atmostphere needs work, but will come..., Not close enough to my front door! haha

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The best place for vegan food in Paris

5 Posted on 10 / 23 / 2011

As a long-time vegan, until now eating out in Paris was a bit of a challenge. Not anymore. Totally by chance I discovered the newly-opened Ginger Cafe and it really is vegan heaven. It is run by a most simpatico young couple: he's English, she's Latin-American. She does the cooking (with organic ingredients), he runs the show. Although it's not 100% vegan, the choice of vegan dishes is both imaginative and very tasty (which in my experience is often not the case in vegetarian restaurants, where vegans seem to be considered the poor relations). I had a watercress soup, which tasted even better than my own soups, even though I've been called "The Queen of Soups" by (non veggie)friends. Served with the best bread I've tasted in Paris.Then I had a mushroom and sweet potato quiche, which was served with a lovely, imaginative salad.By then I was full, so I took the apple tart as a take-away for later. The whole lot came to € 17. At the moment, they're only open from 9h30 till 18.00 Tues-Sun. since they've got a young child. But check with them before you go, since they are planning to extend opening hours. Another thing I am very pleased with is that they don't use microwaves.

Pros: Excellent food, Organic, Good value